Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Rafael Palmeiro lied again. A day after apparently pleading that he had now never intentionally used steroids, the New York Times reported an unnamed sources says Palmeiro tested positive for stanzolol--a powerful steroid used especially for power--and notable in that it is not used in any dietary supplements.

Palmeiro is a cheater and the ugly side of his personality probably didn't just reveal itself. How ridiculous was it for his lawyers to trot out such a hokey defense akin to a bank robber's innoncence while his pockets are stuffed with hundred dollar bills. He lied to the baseball-loving public twice and to Congress once. Should Congress charge him with perjury? Of course, while it's highly unusual, the high-profile of his case is worth the trouble. In fact, Congressman Tom Davis has already raised the question and with his penchant for mugging for the camera, it's likely another round of questioning will come about on Capitol Hill.

"I WON'T BE BACK UNTIL 2006"To readers of the LFR, it shouldn't be any surprise that Baroid Bonds announced his balky knees wouldn't allow him to play until, at least, next season. On December 3, 2004, the LFR clearly asserted that Bonds will never play again. It should be noted that Bonds announced his decision on the same day Palmeiro was nabbed by baseball steroid policy. That Bonds will not play and settle for third on the all-time homerun list is part of a great compromise to cement his tainted homerun marks while sparing baseball the ugly scene and tragic march towards Babe Ruth's and Henry Aaron's all-time records.

With two months left in the season, the Mariners have a three suspension lead over the Cubs. With the quick recovery of pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, the Cubbies may be able a suspension behind by September. Seattle, though, may use the expanded September rosters to pad their Major League suspension lead.

Twenty-one of the 30 Major League teams have had at least one suspension.

IN THE OLD DAYSPeople still debate whether the wildcard increases excitement in more markets or dilutes the integrity of the pennant race. Undeniably, it changes every beat writer's daily focus. If this were any season before 1996, the excitement in the Bay Area over the A's rise would have been noticeably different. The old American League West standings would have look like this today:

Nine games back on August 3rd would have induced panic in those days. Today, it translates to a three game lead in the wildcard and a game back of the division lead. Personally, the fact that wildcard teams such as Anaheim, Boston and Florida twice have won the World Series shows that there is more than four teams worthy of playoff participation. It's sure does make the morning sports page a bit more enjoyable.

The Giants, now 6 1/2 back of under .500 San Diego, would have been 17 games back of Atlanta in the old format.

HALL OF FAMERSRyne Sandberg became the 17th secondbasemen enshrined in Cooperstown, while Wade Boggs became only the 13th thirdbasemen.

The New York Times brokedown the Hall's members by position:

Pitchers 59RF 22SS 201b 18LF 182b 17CF 17C 133b 11

That only eleven thirdbasemen have been elected is somewhat surprising given the perception that the power hitters roam the hot corner. There may be a resurgence this year in power with New York's Alex Rodriguez (29), Houston's Morgan Ensberg (27), the Cubs' Aramis Ramirez (27), and Arizona's Troy Glaus (21).